Pick a coast. West? East? Well, Usha Burns, fundraiser extraordinaire has lived in both and has the fundraising tales to vouch for it. With more than enough philanthropic experience, Usha Burns gives Vivanista readers an inside look at her fundraising past, present and future.

Vivanista (V): What events are you the most proud of?

Usha Burns (UB): Wow, that’s a tough question. I guess it would have to be a tie between the Junior League Fashion Show and the Consulate Promenade for the Symphony. The Junior League Fashion Show because I learned so much from it and it has been a cornerstone of everything I’ve done from that  point on, but the Consulate Promenade was the most unique. It was like a mini-United Nations event.

V: What makes a successful event?

UB: When the guests and the organization or agency are excited with the event and the results. Also, when it has a unique twist to it to make it exciting and different!

V: From a fundraising standpoint, who is your role model?

UB: Charlotte Shultz and Genelle Relfe. Charlotte is the grand dame of events and I admire her for all of her creativity. She has done so much. When Queen Elizabeth came to town (or anyone big) she ran it! Genelle was like a surrogate mother when I was very involved with the Symphony; she was and still is a fountain of advice. They are both dynamos!

V: How do you contribute to the future of an event?

UB: Setting up administrative and logistical reports and details. The following year’s success is indicative of your capabilities.

V: What are the differences in fundraising on the West Coast versus the East Coast?

UB: For a while there I lived in San Francisco as well as New Canaan, CT, and was an active member of the Junior League of Greenwich, CT, both very different from the West Coast. They had so many captains of industry in that area, not to mention that New Canaan had the most CEOs per capita in the nation; that really helped. They also had a lot of celebrities living there, for example New Canaan had Harry Connick, Jr., Brian Williams, Paul Simon and the CEO of General Electric, and the founder of Jet Blue and many TV executives. So with these types of celebrities and powerful people as Honorary Chairs or performers, it was easier to get people to donate and assure a strong guest list. However, the West Coast has a really great creative energy about it. My friends in Connecticut would call me the crazy Californian because I could just sit down and throw out ideas about how to do things bigger and better; their jaws would drop.

V: How do you motivate a volunteer committee?

UB: I find positions that suit their talents, abilities and time constraints so they have a positive experience and feel good about their accomplishments. Good communications and I also acknowledge jobs well done.

V: What are the qualities that make an event Chair successful?

UB: Communication, organization, motivation, being a positive role model, leading by example, being positive and upbeat, having an understanding family and letting them know that I’m having fun!

V: When you set out to Chair an event, what goals do you set for yourself?

UB: You have to make sure it is going to be entertaining, fun and beautiful along with making the revenue goal. Also, be sure to carefully plan your logistics and have a strong administrative timeline.

V: What is the most difficult part of chairing an event?

UB: Getting sponsors and donations, especially in this day-and-age. Also finding time to check in with your sub-chairs and members for communications and motivation is challenging.

V: If someone is new to fundraising and wants to Chair an event, what steps should s/he take?

UB: Learn the sub-committee steps. Also learn the group’s culture and how they operate. In the Bay Area, the Junior League of San Francisco Fashion Show is the finest training ground to learn the fundamentals of fundraising.  Most of the Past Chairs have gone on to be Presidents of other fundraising organizations and/or founders of groups and are continuously asked to chair events.

V: How would you describe yourself in three words?

UB: Exuberant, organized and I really value the relationships of friends (even though that’s not one word).

V: What are your plans for the future?

UB: We just broke ground on our dream house in the Napa Valley and I recently joined the Board of the Napa Valley Opera House!  The theater has been key to the revitalization of the downtown area of the city of Napa and has begun to enrich the lives of all age groups in the Valley.

V: For this unique community of Vivanista women – all of whom do fundraising one way or another, what could they do as a collective group with one voice to change the world?

UB: As we do in the League, vote for a priority area–women, children, health, whatever—then vote for a specific group that is universal around the world. Let them buy into it and then they will contribute time and money. Also, collect money and send a delegation representing different areas of the Vivanista Community to present the money.